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GWR Class 230 Information, Movements & Discussion.
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DavidGrain
Established Member
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We know that GWR owns 3 class 230 in storage and now know how to convert them to working trains, although I think they are 2 car units.
Also we do not know what was included in the purchase of Vivarails IP and equipment which could include additional D Stock units.
Also we do not know what was included in the purchase of Vivarails IP and equipment which could include additional D Stock units.
BerkshireRails
On Moderation
They also purchased 67 unmodified D78 Cars. That is correct the ones in storage which are the ex-LNR ones are 2 car units.
We also know (from someone who appears to be very closely involved in the project posting on this thread) is that those units are in a very poor state, and that the DfT is not showing any inclination to fund any more conversions.
DavidGrain
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A new video by Jago Hazzard suggests that 230001 may not go into regular service but just have been used as a test of battery powered trains.
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
A random comment on the video appears to claim to be someone involved, but they could just be making it up:
I'm a great fan of Jago Hazzard's videos and with this latest video he's done the project proud, but on this particular fact he has got the wrong end of the stick and I'm not sure how; it is still very much the intention that 230001 will carry 'regular fare paying passengers' and indeed that is due to start rather soon. But in the spirit of not wanting to over-promise and under-deliver, GWR are being very coy about the exact start date. When it happens, it will happen! It will only be 1 day a week to begin with, gradually increasing through the year as more drivers are passed out on it, with the intention that it will eventually be covering all 6 days a week (there is no Sunday service). Of course, being only one of a kind, it is unrealistic to expect 230001 to cover the service 6 days a week forever more, so there will be occasions when a Turbo is substituted back in, but the intention is to run 230001 as often as possible.
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This I believe, is still the case, that GWR is not pushing for, and DfT are not inclined to fund, any more 230 conversions, for their branch lines. Which I believe is rather a shame, because now it has been proven that the 230 (with Fast Charge) is finally mature enough to do this sort of thing (after effectively 10 years of development!), and it could in theory be rolled out to other branch lines within 2 or 3 years if the will was there. But there is so much uncertainty in the industry at the moment, and so little money available, nobody really knows what the game plan is on anything.
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You could very easily produce 7 or 8 copies of 3-car no. 230001, there are still enough stored D78 Driving Motor (DM) and Trailer (T) cars to achieve that.
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Some work was done on Bourne End and it was concluded that a 3-car would actually fit. Was looking for a diagram I had but can't currently find it.....Curious. The sectional appendix says the platform is 47m long, but a class 230 is 56m. And the points are immediately beyond the end of the platform - there is certainly not a spare 9 metres.
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D365
Veteran Member
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Agree with your comments about the ”Jago Hazzard” YouTube channel. When considering his recent videos, he seems to be pushing a narrative of a proposal to remove the Greenford branch from National Rail, to become part of a ”West London Tram”. Perhaps it's just an idea that generates him the most YouTube ’clicks’.
This is all off-topic speculation but it may explain his interpretation of the 230001 situation.
Bob Price
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He has done a recent one to double back on the tram idea due to the amount of freight on the line. Also he would only report what GWR are telling him. If 001 does enter service that would be great but the concept of fast charging has shown to work and that is a positive. Let show the technology can be rolled out wider including the Borderlands line.
Invincible
Member
Looking at the bigger picture, the DfT/ GBR transition tender team are looking at the future of DMUs (and class 165/165 Networkers) with the various SE tender shortlisted manufacturers, so probably discussing how fast charge battery technology can be incorporated into new build leased trains?.
The current DMUs have some life left, (and the current DMUs can run the GWR branch lines) so no need to rush new train orders, but the UK train factories will need some orders soon to survive.
Interesting reading Woods post. Does seem a shame to keep the 230 in sidings after it has proved the battery technology works (if it is a lower operational cost to staff the 165 where extra training, and shunting, is not needed?).
The current DMUs have some life left, (and the current DMUs can run the GWR branch lines) so no need to rush new train orders, but the UK train factories will need some orders soon to survive.
Interesting reading Woods post. Does seem a shame to keep the 230 in sidings after it has proved the battery technology works (if it is a lower operational cost to staff the 165 where extra training, and shunting, is not needed?).
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BerkshireRails
On Moderation
Are you referring to the diagram which can be found between timestamp 38:56 to 39:08 in this video =
Yes that's the one
Just to clarify, with thanks for the information here, is the plan for 230001 to be in service on the Greenford branch line? Would really love to ride it when the time comes!
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
Welcome to the forums, currently, there is no information from the train operating company that it will enter service.
Some people have said that it will, but there is nothing certain or public yet.
Invincible
Member
Perhaps GWR and DfT are being cautious as the 769 introduction on GWR line to Gatwick was fraught with various problems, although the 230 has tested well and battery power is the future?
I see Porterbrook are still pushing the 799 Hydrogen 319 conversion on display at Kidderminster station today before the Derby event, but doubt it or any other Hydrogen powered train will enter service
I see Porterbrook are still pushing the 799 Hydrogen 319 conversion on display at Kidderminster station today before the Derby event, but doubt it or any other Hydrogen powered train will enter service
martin butler
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As GWR, already has stock of unconverted coaches, and with the modular system that's used, would it not be cheaper to convert what's left of the D stock to fast charge battery configuration, and concentrate them in Devon and Cornwall for use on the branch lines down there, with just a couple of units at reading for the Marlow branch?
The 230 may be based on the D78, but much of it is new, and has plenty of life left in how much would it cost for a small sub build of bespoke short body battery units especially if they have to be built as a short order, and battery 230'S could be ready to replace the aging DMU's in what 2 years? how long would it take for a supplier to build a small one-off design?
The 230 may be based on the D78, but much of it is new, and has plenty of life left in how much would it cost for a small sub build of bespoke short body battery units especially if they have to be built as a short order, and battery 230'S could be ready to replace the aging DMU's in what 2 years? how long would it take for a supplier to build a small one-off design?
Invincible
Member
Think the DfR GBR policy would be to go for new leased trains (with batteries) to eventually replace the DMUs with low upfront costs and a 30-40 year life, rather than a high upfront cost of conversion (where money is tight) with a limited say 10 year life.
But we will see, Porterbrook still seems to want to provide converted trains on a leased basis?
Seems like they're not going to run in service. GWR's latest Instagram post says:
www.instagram.com
GWR on Instagram: " Sorry Spotters No, we’re not going to see underground trains replacing current trains on the mainline – but this one has done a great job acting as the testbed for proving our fast-charge battery technology⚡ Read our full white
351 likes, 9 comments - gwruk on July 4, 2025: " Sorry Spotters No, we’re not going to see underground trains replacing current trains on the mainline – but this one has done a great job acting as the testbed for proving our fast-charge battery technology⚡ Read our full white paper at the...
www.instagram.com
RUK
Member
Does the DfT think that training drivers on it would cost too much money?
What will be the fate of the 230 now it's known it won't enter passenger service ?Seems like they're not going to run in service. GWR's latest Instagram post says:
GWR on Instagram: " Sorry Spotters No, we’re not going to see underground trains replacing current trains on the mainline – but this one has done a great job acting as the testbed for proving our fast-charge battery technology⚡ Read our full white
351 likes, 9 comments - gwruk on July 4, 2025: " Sorry Spotters No, we’re not going to see underground trains replacing current trains on the mainline – but this one has done a great job acting as the testbed for proving our fast-charge battery technology⚡ Read our full white paper at the...
Departmentmental battery charger tester for future battery projects?
Or off to the scrapman at Newport sims.
Thinking about it this is the second time GWR have got pretty far into preparing and testing a unit for service before binning it. First the 769s now the 230.
D365
Veteran Member
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- 13,176
230001 has, in its existence thus far, only ever acted as a demonstrator unit. So I’m not sure what your ”waste of money” statement is in reference to - the unit is only doing what it was built to do.
Anonymous10
Established Member
One would hope a few will be kept as spares for those in use.
I think it was a reference to training more drivers on it.
It's still possible though I suppose that running it in actual service shows up something that wasn't seen during test runs.
There are quite a few drivers trained on it already, I don’t at this point see why it won’t make public service
On another note yes the turbo unit did happened to fail today with a fault that required assistance, should be all back to normal soon
Alpine Rider
Member
For the avoidance of doubt RealTime Trains shows the Faulty unit was the Class 165 diesel unit not the Class 230 which was operating earlier in the day and had already completed its scheduled runs and returned to its depot.
RUK
Member
As in, the GWR one might go to Transport for Wales to be a spare for the ones there after GWR have finished testing, since those are the only other Class 230s currently in use, though of a different type, and they would need the fast-charging equipment installed there as well for the GWR one to be used in service there? I don’t know if the GWR one’s batteries are the same as the ones in the TfW ones.
Anonymous10
Established Member
I was more thinking the unit / the d78 stock.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Greenford is not “the mainline” so it may well still enter service, but without expansion.